When I started my weight loss journey, I knew I needed some form of movement. But I was overwhelmed by all the noise around me, gym plans, HIIT workouts, intense routines. None of it felt realistic for where I was starting. That’s why I chose walking.
It was the easiest thing to begin, but that doesn’t mean it was easy.
I still had fears. Questions. Doubts. And no structure.
But eventually, I figured out a rhythm that worked for me. If walking is something you're considering adding into your routine, I hope this helps make your start a little easier.
Getting Over the Initial Fear
I started by walking outside, around my town.
At first, it felt strange. I was nervous that people would look at me, or that I didn’t belong out there trying to “exercise.” But like anything new, it only felt that way in the beginning. I quickly began to recognize familiar faces on the sidewalks, others doing the exact same thing.
That’s when it clicked: this isn’t weird. I just had to get out of my own head and actually do it.
Walking became my small rebellion against comfort zones.
When I Walked (And Why It Helped)
Mornings worked best for me.
Not only was it calm outside, no crowds, no distractions, but it also set the tone for my day. Walking first thing meant I couldn’t procrastinate. I started the day with movement, with intention.
It didn’t matter what exact time the walk was. What mattered was that I got out and did it before anything else had the chance to convince me not to.
Making It Enjoyable
I never wanted walking to feel like a chore.
So I changed the route every day. I walked down streets I hadn’t seen before. I looked for new sights, new corners, new colors. It became a small adventure, a way to explore, not just exercise.
Eventually, when I felt like I’d seen everything in my area, I took my walking indoors. I hopped on the treadmill and watched my favorite shows while I moved. More on that in my blog post: Walking at Home — My Favorite Way to Exercise Without Leaving the House. Walking indoors made it easier to get through longer walks, and honestly, it was a win-win.
No matter where you walk, outside or inside, you can still reach your goals. It’s about movement, not perfection.
Romanticizing the Walk
One thing that made it really stick for me was paying attention.
Whenever I saw something beautiful or unique, a wildflower, a bird, the way the light hit the sidewalk, I would stop and capture it.
It made the walk feel like more than just movement. It felt like a moment. Something I was part of. I wasn’t just walking to lose weight. I was walking to reconnect with the world around me, and with myself.
Rest Is Part of the Routine
I didn’t force myself to walk every single day.
If the weather was bad, I stayed in. If I needed a break, I gave myself one. Some days I just needed a slower pace, and that was okay too.
Taking breaks didn’t set me back. In fact, it kept me consistent.
The key was building a walking routine that worked for me, not against me. That’s what made it sustainable.
Final Thoughts
If you’re starting out and walking feels too simple, or maybe even a little embarrassing, I promise it’s not. Walking helped me lose 46 pounds, and if you need more help on your journey, I wrote A Guide to Sustainable Weight Loss for you. But more importantly, walking helped me build discipline, consistency, and peace.
It was the first step, literally, toward the version of myself I’ve been becoming.
You don’t have to do it all at once. You don’t need to sprint. You just need to start walking.
And don’t forget, this is your journey. Personalize it however you need.